Independent Study

To register for an independent study (a 499 course in ACCT, FNAN, MGMT, MIS, MKTG, or OSCM), students must be majoring in the Costello College of Business. 

Step 1: Identify a Faculty Sponsor 

Students must first discuss the possibility of an independent study project with a faculty member from the Costello College of Business who will serve as the course sponsor. It is strongly recommended that the faculty member be one from whom the student has previously taken a course in which they completed a serious research paper. This helps determine if the faculty member is willing to guide the independent study. 

Step 2: Prepare the Proposal 

Approval for an independent study requires the student to create a detailed proposal outlining the project. The proposal should include the following elements: 

• Suggested Title 
• Nature of the Problem 
• Review of the Literature 
• Scope, Objectives, and Limitations 
• Research Procedure and Data Sources 
• Tentative Outline 

As a general guideline, students should expect to spend 10-25 hours developing a viable proposal. The proposal should be completed before the beginning of the semester. 

Step 3: Submit for Approval 

The proposal, signed by both the student and the faculty sponsor, must be submitted to the Office of Student Success and Academic Services at busreqst@gmu.edu for review by the Senior Director of Undergraduate Academic and Student Affairs. 

Additional Information 

• A 3-credit independent study project requires 100-150 hours of work. 
• Independent study courses cannot replace required core courses within the Costello College of Business. 

Once the proposal is approved, a copy should be provided to the faculty sponsor.